Developmental Milestones

A developmental milestone is a skill that a child acquires within a specific time frame.

Showing most important milestones for all development areas for the toddler age range. clear Clear Filter

Primary milestones for toddler

Milestone ? Age Range ? Development Area ?
Experiments with means to a goal
9-24 months Cognitive
Walks without help
9-18 months Gross Motor
Lowers himself from standing
11-14 months Gross Motor
Takes one step, unassisted
11-12 months Gross Motor
Stands on his toes
11-12 months Gross Motor
Carries spoon to his mouth
11-12 months Fine Motor
Takes two steps, unassisted
11-14 months Gross Motor
Walks, holding a wheeled toy
11-24 months Gross Motor
Identifies animals in pictures
11-12 months Cognitive
Gives a kiss upon request
11-12 months Social & Emotional
Turns pages of a book
11-24 months Cognitive
Sits without support with book
12-18 months Literacy
May carry a book
12-18 months Literacy
Holds a book with help
12-18 months Literacy
Turns board book pages
12-18 months Literacy
No longer mouths book immediately
12-18 months Literacy
Points at pictures with one finger
12-18 months Literacy
Connects sound to picture
12-18 months Literacy
Points when asked, "where's...?"
12-18 months Literacy
Turns a book right side up
12-18 months Literacy
Gives a book to an adult to read
12-18 months Literacy
Takes covers off containers
12-14 months Fine Motor
Responds to directions
month 12 Cognitive
Gives and takes a toy
month 12 Social & Emotional
Refuses to eat new foods
month 12 Social & Emotional
Climbs up and down stairs
12-14 months Gross Motor
Stands from squatting position
month 12 Gross Motor
Learns correct use of toys
month 12 Cognitive
Resists napping
month 12 Social & Emotional
May demand help unnecessarily
month 12 Social & Emotional
Gives affection
month 12 Social & Emotional
Undresses himself
month 12 Social & Emotional
Stands, cruises and walks
12-15 months Gross Motor
Climbs out of his playpen/crib
month 12 Gross Motor
Holds an object in his mouth
month 12 Gross Motor
Understands much language
month 12 Speech & Language
Throws tantrums
month 12 Social & Emotional
Cares for dolls
12-14 months Social & Emotional
Takes only one nap
12-14 months Physical
Eats meals with family
12-24 months Social & Emotional
Experiences appetite change
12-24 months Physical
May prefer only one type of food
12-24 months Physical
May choke on food
1-5 years Physical
Needs tooth care
12-24 months Physical
Uses a spoon
12-18 months Fine Motor
Drops toys into containers
12-18 months Fine Motor
Stacks and knocks down objects
1-3 years Fine Motor
Nests cups and stacks rings
12-24 months Fine Motor
Takes things apart
12-24 months Fine Motor
Gets tired from walking
12-24 months Gross Motor
Points at objects
12-18 months Speech & Language
Points to named objects
12-24 months Speech & Language
Names familiar people and things
12-24 months Speech & Language
Pronounces words differently
12-24 months Speech & Language
Explores objects more thoroughly
12-24 months Cognitive
Matches objects by attributes
12-24 months Cognitive
learns by imitating actions
12-24 months Cognitive
Communicates his desires
12-24 months Social & Emotional
Uses "No" ambiguously
12-18 months Social & Emotional
Recognizes himself in the mirror
12-24 months Social & Emotional
Engages in parallel play
12-24 months Social & Emotional
Prefers adults to children
12-24 months Social & Emotional
Expresses frustration in tantrums
12-24 months Social & Emotional
Jumps on both feet
17 months - 4 years Gross Motor
Turns one board book page
18-24 months Literacy
Carries book around the house
18-24 months Literacy
May use a book as transitional object
18-24 months Literacy
Names familiar pictures
18-24 months Literacy
Fills in words in familiar stories
18-24 months Literacy
"Reads" to dolls or stuffed animals
18-24 months Literacy
Recites parts of well-known stories
18-24 months Literacy
Has a highly variable attention span
18-24 months Literacy
Colors with crayons
18-24 months Fine Motor
Enjoys shape sorters or puzzles
18-24 months Fine Motor
Rolls and kicks a ball
18-24 months Gross Motor
Walks up stairs with assistance
18-24 months Gross Motor
Constucts simple phrases
18-24 months Speech & Language
Shows jealousy for attention
18-24 months Social & Emotional
Learns to handle paper pages
2-3 years Literacy
Finds favorite pictures in books
2-3 years Literacy
Recites whole phrases, stories
2-3 years Literacy
Coordinates text with picture
2-3 years Literacy
Protests at wrong word
2-3 years Literacy
Reads familiar books to himself
2-3 years Literacy
Prefers one type of food
2-3 years Physical
Has a growing appetite
2-3 years Physical
Washes hands with assistance
2-3 years Fine Motor
Helps in the kitchen
2-3 years Social & Emotional
Has all 20 "baby" (primary) teeth
2-3 years Physical
Stops sucking his thumb
2-3 years Physical
Brushes his teeth
2-4 years Fine Motor
Scribbles with crayons
2-4 years Fine Motor
Copies lines and circles
2-3 years Fine Motor
Cuts with safety scissors
2-2.5 years Fine Motor
Strings beads
2-3 years Fine Motor
Runs without tripping
2-3 years Gross Motor
Walks stairs independently
2-3 years Gross Motor
Balances on one foot
2-3.5 years Gross Motor
Develops larger vocabulary
2-3 years Speech & Language
Speaks in short sentences
2-4 years Speech & Language
Talks about yesterday and tomorrow
2-3 years Speech & Language
Improves in comprehension
2-3 years Speech & Language
Follows directions with prepositions
2-3 years Speech & Language
Speaks with 50% clarity
2-2.5 years Speech & Language
Understands simple stories
2-3 years Cognitive
Develops a vivid imagination
2-3 years Cognitive
Matches pictures to real life
2-3 years Cognitive
Enjoys simple puzzles
2-3 years Cognitive
Plays house
2-3 years Cognitive
Names objects and actions
2-3 years Cognitive
Counts to three
2-3 years Cognitive
Shows interest in other children
2-3 years Social & Emotional
Understands rules
2-3 years Social & Emotional
Adjusts to change with help
2-3 years Social & Emotional
Enjoys daily routines
2-3 years Social & Emotional
Declares things "mine"
2-3 years Social & Emotional
Recognizes his gender identity
2-3 years Social & Emotional
Is ready for toilet training
2-3 years Physical
Speaks with 75% clarity
2.5-3 years Speech & Language

Other milestones within the toddler range

Milestone ? Age Range ? Development Area ?
Reaches for a book
6-12 months Literacy
Brings a book to his mouth
6-12 months Literacy
Sits in lap, head steady
6-12 months Literacy
Turns pages with adult help
6-12 months Literacy
Looks at pictures
6-12 months Literacy
Vocalizes while patting pictures
6-12 months Literacy
Prefers pictures of faces
6-12 months Literacy
Begins teething
6-12 months Physical
Crawls forward or backward
6-12 months Gross Motor
Claps and waves his hands
6-12 months Fine Motor
Names "mama" or "dada"
6-12 months Speech & Language
Stands, hands free, with support
8-12 months Gross Motor
Pulls to standing
8-12 months Gross Motor
Points with finger
8-12 months Fine Motor
Shakes his head "no"
8-12 months Speech & Language
Stands, holding onto something
8-12 months Gross Motor
Follows simple instructions
9-24 months Cognitive
Voluntarily releases objects
9-12 months Fine Motor
Searches for a hidden object
9-12 months Cognitive
Fits things together
9-12 months Cognitive
Feeds himself entire meals
9-12 months Fine Motor
Climbs up and down chairs
9-15 months Gross Motor
Takes apart, reassembles objects
9-14 months Cognitive
Extends his arm to get dressed
9-12 months Social & Emotional
Enjoys games (hide-and-seek)
9-12 months Social & Emotional
Cruises along furniture
9-12 months Gross Motor
Picks up small objects
9-12 months Fine Motor
Holds cup and drinks from it
9-12 months Fine Motor
Connects words and objects
9-12 months Cognitive
Imitates rhythms of speech
9-12 months Speech & Language
Squats and stoops
11-12 months Gross Motor
Lifts lids from boxes
11-12 months Fine Motor
Speaks a few intelligible words
11-12 months Speech & Language
Deliberately places objects
11-12 months Fine Motor
Nests cups or boxes
11-12 months Cognitive
Tries to avoid disapproval
11-12 months Social & Emotional
Shows guilt
11-12 months Social & Emotional
Babbles with full inflection
11-12 months Speech & Language

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